Word for Windows Misreads Port Names Containing Spaces

 Last reviewed: May 9, 1997
Article ID: Q104666
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Word version 2.0x

The Microsoft Word for Windows Print Setup dialog box does not correctly display printer port names with spaces in them. It either lists printers multiple times, once for each word in the port name, or it lists the printer once with the port name capitalized and the spaces replaced with underscores.

For example, if you have a DLC connection to an HP LaserJet 4si and the printer driver is printing to the HP network port which you named HP Net Printer, then Word should display: 

    HP LaserJet 4si on HP Net Printer
Instead it lists the printer multiple times 

    HP LaserJet 4si on HP
    HP LaserJet 4si on NET
    HP LaserJet 4si on PRINTER
or with underscores: 

    HP LaserJet 4si on HP_NET_PRINTER
Word does print correctly regardless of which listed printer you choose.

The same problems occur if the port name, server name or share name contain spaces. The only resolution to this problem is to not use spaces. This behavior occurs under Windows 3.1 as well.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem with Word for Windows version 2.0x. We are researching this problem and will post new information here as it becomes available.

Additional query words: prodnt
Keywords : kbinterop nt16ap
Version : 3.1
Platform : WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: May 9, 1997
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